Mod Tree

Monday, June 27th, 2011

Mod Tree, framed, by Amy Crook, $222

This piece was an experiment in making something less abstract out of the salt pools. I really like the way the arrangement of dots suggest a tree without ever actually forming the shape of leaves. The circles remind me of abstract Mod art from the ’60s, hence the name.

When I make these pieces, I can only line three or four up on the bookshelf at a time, and they have to dry anywhere from half a day to a full 24 hours. I can’t always take good progress photos if I start something at night, but when the sun’s shining in the window I do try to make sure I get some shots.

In the first detail shot, the lighter colors got washed out a bit but you can see the biggest salt crystals rising up off the paper.

Mod Tree, detail 1, by Amy Crook

Here you can see how the minimalist tree trunk gently supports the sparkling arrangement of leaves above.

Mod Tree, detail 2, by Amy Crook

Here you can really see the salt inside each water droplet, before it dissolved. I love how the light just glows through the water at the start, an ephemeral moment of beauty in the process of making art.

Mod Tree, in progress, by Amy Crook

The scanned version doesn’t have the same sparkle and dimension as the photos, but you can see the shape and color really clearly. It’ll ship in its frame so it stays nice and safe on its journey to your home.

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